Running-board saddle.



W. E. FOWLER, SR.

RUNNING' BOARD SADDLE.

NYFILED N v.2o 19' Patented Apr.. 13, 1915.

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WILLIAM E. FOWIER, SR., 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR. TG THE FOIE/'LER CAR COMPIINY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A. CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

RUNNING-BOARD SADDLE.

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T0 all 'whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM E. FowLnn, Sr., a citizen of the United States, and resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Running-l3oard Saddles, of which the following is a speciiication.

My invention relates to railway cars and has particular reference to a novel running board saddle for use in connection therewith.

It has been the common practice to employ wooden saddles or brackets on which the running board provided on the tops of freight cars are secured. However, as the fastening means are sometimes insecure the boards become loose and are a menace to the safety of the workmen.

in object in the present construction is to provide an extremely simple and cheap metallic device by means of which the running boards may be maintained in proper relation against the possibility of displacement.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Figure 1 is a transverse vertical section through a portion of a car roof and a running board showing my novel fastening means applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the same, and, Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, it will be seen that to a ridge pole 10, and a roof 1l, is secured a saddle consisting of a plate 12, having angularly bent ends 13, by means of which the saddle is secured to the roof. Running boards 14, are laid on the saddle and loops or clips 15, are passed around the edges of and over each board, the ends of the loops being apertured to accommodate a long fastening bolt or rod 16, hav ing tightening nuts 17, on the ends thereof. lhe outside legs of the outer clips extend downwardly alongside the leg 13, of the saddle and are directly contacted by the nuts 17. It intermediate points the legs of the clips project downwardly through openings 18, formed in the plate 12. Also extending through an aperture in the plate 12, at the middle thereof is a bolt 19, the head lying above the plate 12, and the shank of the bolt Specication of Letters Patent. Pwbgmbed App, 13, 19115 Application filed November 20, 1914.

Serial No. 873,143.

at a point adjacent the head, being flattened as at 20, and apertured to accommodate the bolt 16. 'Ihe lower edge of the flattened portion 20, serves as an abutment for the washer' 21, which rests upon the roof l1. The bolt 19, passes through the ridge pole and is secured to the lower edge thereof by means of a nut 22.

A fastening device suoli as described is exceedingly simple and adapts itself readily to the necessities of the case. If a board becomes broken or destroyed, it may be replaced in a very simple manner. If desired the boards may be gained to accommodate the straps or loops 15, thus providing a flat surface. At the meeting ends of the boards the strap will bind such edges. rIhe downturned ends of the straps 15, provide means for spacing the boards as required.

I claim:

l. In a device of the class described, the combination of a saddle, a plurality of boards laid thereon, a strap passing around each board, and a single horizontal bolt engaging and securing all said straps to said saddle, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a saddle, a plurality of boards laid thereon, a strap passing around each board, said straps having apertured ends, and a bolt passing through the apertures in said straps and securing said straps to said saddle, substantially as described.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of a saddle contacting the car roof at its ends only, a bolt for securing and supporting said saddle at its middle portion, a running board, clips securing said board to the saddle, and a horizontal bolt for securing said clips to the saddle, substantially as described.

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a saddle, a bolt for securing and supporting said saddle at its middle portion, said bolt having an apertured shank, a running board, a strap engaging said board, and a horizontal bolt extending through the shank of said bolt and securing said strap to said saddle, substantially as described.

WILLIAM E. FOWLER, Sn. Witnesses:

C. F. MURRAY, 'I. D. BUTLER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for iive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,l

Washington, Il. C. 

